The document summarizes the Arab Spring uprisings in several countries and the US response and interests in each situation. It discusses the embattled leaders, dates of uprisings, US response dates, US interests and threats in Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Bahrain, Libya, and Yemen. For each country it also describes the instruments used by the US to maintain its interests, alternative instruments, and the proposed solution.
3. Tunisia
Embattled leader President Zine al Abidine Ben Ali
Longevity of his reign 1987-2011 (24 years)
Start date of the uprising December 17, 2010
Date of the US response January 14, 2011
US Interests Ally in the war on terror
Threats to US interests None
Instruments of Maintaining
Interests
Bin Ali
Alternative Instruments None (Negative)
Solution No threat. Next regime pro-USA
4. Egypt
Embattled leader President Husni Mubarak
Longevity of his reign 1981-2011 (30 years)
Start date of the uprising January 25, 2011
Date of the US response February 10, 2011
US Interests Israel security; Suez Canal
Threats to US interests Islamic radicalism
Instruments of Maintaining
Interests
US aid; control of the military
Alternative Instruments SCAF (POSITIVE)
Solution transition; successor regime
shares same commitments
5. Syria
Embattled leader President Bashar al-Asad
Longevity of his reign 2000-2011 (11years)
Start date of the uprising March 18, 2011
Date of the US response April 8, 2011
US Interests Stop support to terrorist organizations
Threats to US interests Syrian regime ally of Iran
Instruments of Maintaining
Interests
econmic sanctions on Syria and on members of
Asad family
Alternative Instruments None (NEGATIVE)
Solution Fall of Asad; institution of democracy
6. Bahrain
Embattled leader King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa
Longevity of his reign 2002-2011 (9 years)
Start date of the uprising February 14, 2011
Date of the US response February 27, 2011
US Interests Contain Iranian threat in the region
Threats to US interests Shia majority in Bahrain
Instruments of Maintaining
Interests
US Naval Support Activity Bahrain and US
Fifth Fleet
Alternative Instruments Alwefaq (NEGATIVE)
Solution Reform
7. Libya
Embattled leader President Moamar al-Qaddafi
Longevity of his reign 1969-2011 (42years)
Start date of the uprising February 15, 2011
Date of the US response February 25, 2011
US Interests Libya does not stabilize region
Threats to US interests Qaddafi himself
Instruments of Maintaining
Interests
Economic sanction and ban on military
exports
Alternative Instruments NTCL (POSITIVE)
Solution New democratic government
8. Yemen
Embattled leader President Ali Abdullah Saleh
Longevity of his reign 1979-2011 (32 years)
Start date of the uprising January 15, 2011
Date of the US response March 18, 2011
US Interests Security in Yemen
Threats to US interests AQAP using Yemeni territory to reorganize
and attack USA
Instruments of Maintaining
Interests
Saleh
Alternative Instruments JMP (NEGATIVE)
Solution Political settlement